Bubbles!

thingiverse

<i>Update 10/2018</i>: Thanks for checking this out! I'm still wondering whether to remove this model, since it never quite worked as intended, as mentioned in the original description. It's a fascinating tech demo with many functional components that users might find helpful on their own. If you download and print it, keep in mind that it may not produce a lot of bubbles (it makes more foam than actual bubbles). <i>Update 8/4/2017</i>: I'm releasing V2, which is shown above after the images of V1. I haven't uploaded the STL files yet, but anyone who wants to can grab them from the Tinkercad project itself: https://www.tinkercad.com/things/6RZwES0neNK-bubbles-v2/. V2 is a bit more powerful, with a 1:125 gear ratio instead of 1:9, a larger and optimized impeller, and a bigger inflow tract. I don't have time to make assembly instructions right now, but you can figure it out from the Tinkercad project. Some advice: assemble the base first, then the middle wall and its attachments. Just in time for Summer (Northern Hemisphere, naturally). Print 1 of each part (you can combine several gears into one print). Some parts will need to be rotated to lie flat on your printer bed. No supports are necessary. It prints well at .25mm/layer with 3 shells. For most parts, 20% infill is sufficient. For the middle wall, I recommend 50% or higher infill, to support the torque on those thin pegs. Pay close attention to the assembly schematics above. On Drive gear A, you want to tighten both nuts together, NOT tighten either nut to the bolt head. Fill the reservoir with bubble fluid (water, dish soap, and glycerin) just enough to cover the bubble rings (too much and it will make a slippery mess). Crank the handle and enjoy the bubbles. Right now, it mostly makes a single mass of bubbles dangling off the back side, so it clearly needs tinkering. Maybe shaping the impeller case outflow tract into a round tube next to the bubble wheel? Maybe larger impeller blades? Maybe reverse the direction of the bubble wheel's rotation? If you want to tinker with it and make it better, here's the link: https://tinkercad.com/things/jGSvj2vejI9 Impeller playground of untested ideas: https://tinkercad.com/things/j6eoRn6QKR6 Impeller design is its own field of hydraulic engineering, and it clearly has a massive impact on fan output. If interested, check out these discussions here: - https://www.ekwestrel.com/is-there-an-ideal-impeller-vane-number/ - http://www.enginsoft.it/applications/turbomacchine/sulzer.html When I get a chance to model some more, I plan to try a helical blade impeller such as this: - https://www.caeses.com/forum/uploads/monthly_05_2013/post-8-0-93091100-1368785425.png For anyone wanting a simple hand-cranked impeller fan (also known as centrifugal fan), print everything except the Reservoir.stl, Bubble wheel.stl, Gear strap.stl, and Wheel pin.stl. The transmission results in a ~1:9 ratio of input to output. Requires: * 8 shielded ball bearings, 608 size (22mm OD, 8mm ID, 7mm depth) * 2 hex bolts, 5/16", 2 inch length (sorry, I don't know if there is a metric equivalent bolt) * Lots of M3 machine screws, 10mm and 20mm length * Several washers meant for 5/16" bolts, roughly 1.5mm thick This project would not have been possible without the excellent gear generating project here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1604369